Game apparatus



3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mmbfi FEE wmmDwE a @z? g E. B. STOUT GAME APPARATUS \V [KKK Filed Feb. 10, 1925 SHELLJJZII M55 23E mmsu wmlizmk Jan. 5 1926.

Q mwN Patented 5, 1926. I

EABLE BFSTOUT, Olj' GARY, INDIANA.

GAME APPARATUS.

. A mmonmea February 10, ms. sum u 0,048.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, 'EARLE citizen of the United States, residing at Gary, in the county of Lake and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus; and I hereby declare'that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is. a novel game or educational appliance, and the principal object of the same is to construct what I term magic cubes consisting of a group of consecutively numbered blocks arranged to form a large cube in such manner that the numbers appearing on the blocks in each.

sed parallel with any row which are dis of the side edges 0 the magic cube, and most, if not all, of the diagonals have the same total sum.

A further ob'ect of-the invention is to construct such magic cubes by the use of a building set comprising construction cards, game cards, blocks,- and chips, as hereinafter described having predetermined arrangements of letters, figures, or groups of figures upon one or more or; all of their faces, the game being educational as well as amusing and entertaining; each block, moreover, having a magic square on one face so that a person having an inquiring disposition will study these magic squares to find out how they are constructed, and such study will prove educational. Chance is eliminated from my game, and strict compliance with instructions will enable any one to build a magic cube.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate my building set to enable others to adopt and use my invention, and will summarize in the claims the essentials of the invention, the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for all of which protection is desired.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of one of the I magic cube cards.

Figure 2 is ,a plan View of the slide used with the card shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the temporary cube cards.

Figure 4 is a view of the row series B. S'rou'r, a-

slide used with the card shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is' a view .of the column series slide used with the card shown in Fi ure 3. p

Figure ,6 is a section on the line 66, Fi re 1.

igure 7 is a Figure 3.

Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of one unit cube or block.

Fi re 10 is a view of one letter key chi g igure 11 is a view of one figure key igure 12 is a view of one attendant key-square.

igure 13 is a view of one of the letters.

Figure 14 is a view of one of the attendchi .ants I v Figure 15 is a view of one of the figures Fi 'ure 16 is a view of one ofthe game. boar s. t

Figure 17 shows a 64 block magic cube constructed by my invention.

' Figure 18 shows the horizontal layers of the cube shown in Figure 17 slightly separated.

As shown in the drawings, my preferred form of magic cube building set comprises sixty-four consecutively numbered blocks 1 (Figures 8 and 9); eight construction cards 2 and 3 (Figures 1-7); sixteen lettered chips or letters 4 (Figure 13);

sixteen numbered chips or figures 5 (Figure 15) sixty-four numbered chips or attendants 6 (Figure 14); twenty attendants key-squares 7 (Figure 12); sixteen letter ke chips 8 (Figure 10); twenty figure key chi s 9 (Figure 11); four game boards 10 Figure 16); and a book of instructions (not shown).

The sixty-four blocks 1, shown in Figures -8 and 9, may be made of any suitable material, such as wood, card board, cellusection) on the line. 77,

loid, or the like the blocks being numbered,

as at 1, consecutively from one to sixty- ,four, the number 1 preferably appearing on five of the six faces of each block. On

one of the five numbered faces of each block the words Magic blocks may appear. (Figure 8). On the sixth face of each block appears what I term a magic square conslsting of certain predetermined numbers arranged in as many parallel rows as there are numbers in each row ,--the sum-of each of the rows of numbersyeither' vertical or horizontal, and one if not both of the main diagonals, being the same. The words ma is square may. appear on said. face, and t e sum total of t e respective rows, as shown in Figure 9. A person having an inquiring disposition may study the magic squares a pearing on the blocks shown) for term temporary cube cards, and the cards 3 (Figure 1) being what '1 term magic cube cards Uponeach card 2 and '3 are sixteen squares 2, 3, respectively arranged in four parallel rows of four squares each.

The sixteen squares 2 of the temporary cube cards 2'are marked as at 2% Temporary. sq. #1, and so on to #16 respectively,

as shown in Figure 2, reading from left to right, beginning with the top row. Opposite each horizontal row of squares 2 is an 7 opening2 marked Row, and near the bottom of card 2, and in alignment with the openings 2 is an opening 2, marked Row series. A slide 2 (Figure 4) is vertically movably mounted behind the openings 2,

2, said slide hearing as at 2 the letters A, B, C, and D adapted to be displayed through the opening 2 as slide 2 is s ifted, and also bearing four groups 2 of numbers 1, 2, 3, or 4, one number of each group adapted to be displayed through its respective opening 2 simultaneously with the registering of a letter A, B, C or D with opening 2, the particular order or arrangement of the numbers of each group 2' with respect to letters 2, being predetermined and fixed.

Below each of the vertical rows of squares 2 of cards 2, is an opening 2 marked Column-and in alignment with the openings 2 is an opening 2 marked Column series. A slide .2 is vertically movably mounted behind openings 2 2, said slide 2 bearing, as at 2, the letters A to I inclusive, adapted to be successively displayed through openings 2 as slide 2 is shifted; also four groups 2 of numbers ranging between 1 and 16 inclusive, one number in each group 2 being adapted to be displayed through its respective column opening 2 v simultaneously with the registering of a letter A to Iwith opening 2, the particular order or arrangement of the numbers of each group 2 with remeans in the card 3;- and also groups of numbers 3, ranging 116 inclusive, one number of v each group 3. being adapted to be displayed through its respective opening 3 1n the card 3 simultaneously with the registering of a letter with openings 3, the particular order and arrangement of the numbers of each group 3 being predetermined. and fixed.

The four temporary cube cards 2, the four magic cube cards 3; and their; respectiVe slides 2, 2 and 3 are marked Layer #1, Layer #2, Layer#3, and Layer #4, respectively, as shown in Figures 15 inclusive.

For each setting of the slides 2 of any of the cards to the column series A, B, C, etc. (displayed through openings 2) the sum of all the numbers appearing through openings '2 on each card will equal a constant number (34). Also for each setting of the slides 3 of any of the cards 3 to the square series A, B, C, etc. the sum total of the numbers appearing through each of the horizontal and vertical rows of openings 3 of each card 3 will equal a constant number (34). I

The sixteen lettered chips or letters 4, as shown in Figure 13, comprise four groups of four'chips each,the chips of each group bearing the indicia Letter A, Letter B, Letter C, and Letter D, respectively. The sixteen numbered chips or ures 5, as shown in Figure 15, bear the in icia Figure and are numbered 1-16 consecutively. The sixty-four attendants 6 as shown in Figure 14, comprise four groups of sixteen chips each, the chips of each group being marked Queens attendant #1 and so on to #16. The twenty attendant key squares 7 as shown in Figure 12, comprise five groups of four chips each, the chips of each group being identical, and each group bearing the numbers 116 inclusive, arranged in four rows of four numbers each, so that each horizontal and vertical rowof numbers has asum total of 34. Each groupv however has a different arrangement of the numbers.

The sixteen letter key chips 8 shown in Figure 10, comprise four groups of four chips each, the chips of each group beings identical, and each chip bearing four dif ferent combinations of the letters A, B,

C and D, the different combinations be- 111" marked First la er, Second layer, hird la er, and ourth la er respectively. T e combinations for t e layers of and each chip bearing the numbers 1-16 in-.

elusive arranged in'fo'ur groups'of four numbers each so that the sum total of each roup on each chip is 34, the four grou s oi each chip being marked First layer, Second layer, Third layer and Fourth layer respectively. The combinations of numbers for the corresponding layers of each set are different.

The four game boards 10, shown in Fig ure 16, are identical except as hereinafter set forth. At the left hand side of each board 10 is a square 10 comprising four rows of four spaces each. At the top of square 10 are the words Temporary cube, and at the left hand side of square 10 are circles 10", opposite each horizontal row of spaces in square 10, the circles 10 being marked Letters. At the bottom of square 10 are circles 10 opposite each of the vertical rows of spaces of the square 10, said circles 10 being marked Figures. At the right hand side of each board 10 is a square 10, of same size, and similar to square 10, but each space in square 10 has inscribed therein a circle 10. At the top of square 10- are the words Magic cube, and at the bottom of s uare 10 the word Attendants. The our game boards are marked First layer, Second layer, Third layer, and Fourth layer respectively.

There are two methods of constructing 18, with the above building set, the two methods being based upon the same principle.

The first method, or construction card method, provides a form of solitaire to be played by one person only, the object being to construct the magic cubes rapidly, and to study the many possible combinations 01' cubes obtainable. This method makes use of the sixty-four numbered blocks 1, and the eight construction cards, i. e., the four temporary cube cards 2, and. the fourmagic cube cards 3. The construction cards should be disposed in two rows, with the temporary cube cards 2 in one row, and the magic cube cards 3 in the other row, the layers 1, 2, 3, 4 in each row reading from'left to right. Then set the slides 2 2 and 3 of the cards 2 and 3 so that any of the letters A, B, C, etc., are displayed through their respective openings 2, 2 'and 3, duplicating their ar- .the

rangement on each layer and place the blocks 1, in numerical order, (1,2, 3, etc.) on uares 2 of the temporary cube cards 2,

as fo lows:

Block #1 on the square'in' row #1,

column #1; block #2 on the square in row #2, column #1; block 3 on the square in row #3, column #1; block #4 on the square in row #4, column #1; block #5 on the square in row #1, column #2; block #6 on the square in row #2, column #2; block #64 on the square in row #4, column #16.

There is now a block 1 on each of the sixty-four squares 2" of the four temporary cube cards 2. The blocks 1 thus arranged must then be transferred from the squares f place the block from temp. sq. 16 on magic sq. #16.

Then complete the magic cube by placing the layers, as thus arranged on the magic cube cards, on top of each other, layer #3 being placed upon layer #4; layer #2 uponlayer #3; and layer #1 upon layer #2. By examining the cube thus constructed itwill be seen that the sum total of each of the horizontal and vertical rows of numbers on each face of the cube, and most if not all of the diagonals equals a constant number. Since there are provided in the set above described four row series changes, nine column series changes, and

nine square series changes, there will be 4 9 9::324; different magic cubes which can be constructed with the above described set, by simply varying the combinations of the series changes, by setting the slides 2 2 and 3 Referring to Figures 17' and 18, which show one of the 324 different cubes constructed by the above described set, the

sums of the respective horizontal and vertical rows of blocks in the layers of the cube as well as in the complete cube, equals a constant figure 130.

The second method, or game method, is

designed primarily for a plurality of players, from one to five, and offers awards and penalties for speed and accuracy. All the equipment is used, with the exception of the eight construction cards, 2 and 3. If more than one person is playing the four game boards 10 should be divided among the players, one player being selected to deal out the equipment.

The game proceeds dealer will first decide which of the groups of letter key chips 8 will be used, and (asas followsz The Y suming there are four layers) will deal each player a chip'8 said up; also four otters A, B, C, and Df a gure 13) which the players will arrange on their reective game boards the letter.

circles 10 using'the arrangement shown on the key 0 ip 8 for their respective layers,

starting at the top circle and wor ing dow The dealer should next decide uponthe particular group of figure key clips 9 to used, and will then 'distributethe sixteen numbered chips or figures 5'to be "a key-sguare 7 of said set I, '1, in numerical order andfour at a time,

placed by the players. upon the figure circles 10 of their respective ame' boards 10, in the exactarrangement r their reective layers, as indicated onnthe key c s 9. y

' e dealer will then decide upon the particular group of attendant key squares. tube used, and will dealto each player group, together with a set 0 16 attendants 6 (numbered 1-16 inclusive). The players must arrange the attendantsfi on the saces in squares 10 of the magic cube f of'the boards 10 in the exact order given on the key squares.

The we boards 10 being thus pro erly e dealer will then deal the b ocks to the la era. The first group of four bl sho d be dealt to the player on whose board the figure chip #1 islocated. The second roup of four blocks should be dealt to the p ayer on whose board the figure chip #2 is located, and so on untilthe sixteen groups have been distributed. The players must be observant. as to when their turn Figure 1, placing the first block in the square governed by letter A; the second block in the square governed by letter B;

the third block in the s uare governed by letter 0; the fourth b ock in the square governed by letter D. After the dealer has given the first four blocks to the player having figurel, he will call for figure 2, and the player at the board where figure 2 is located will receive his blocks, and distribute them in the column marked Figure 2, as ex lained above. The dealer continues to call or the figures until all of the sixtyfour blocks have been dealt.

The dealer should then give a signal and each layer should transfer the blocks from his temporary cube squares 10' to his magic cube squares 10 in the followin manner :--Beginning at the upperleft han space of the temporary cube square 10 and ants 6. Thus the first block enters the s uare governedby attendant 1; the second b ock enters s uare governed by attendant 2; the third b ock enters s uare overned by attendant 3, etc., to 16t bloc which enters uare governed by attendant 16.

The p ayer completing first may receive a reward of 100 points for speed. The

player finishing second may receive oints for speed. The player finishing thir may receive 25 points for s eed.

Each layer shoul then check up on his board penalties for inaccuracy. For each column whose sum equals 130-10 points reward. For each row whose sum equals 130-40 points reward. For each diagonal whose sum equals 130 10 points reward. For

each squarelet (four adjacent numbers) and may receive the following. points for accuracy, and the following.

is not 130-10 points penalty. For each diagonal whose sum is not 130--5 points penalty. For each squarelet whose sum is not 130-5 oints penalty.

After eac board has been checked and points awarded to the players,'the player aving the highest score will form the magic cube by placing the blocks of the third layer on top of the blocks of the fourth layer; the second layer on the top of the third layer; and the first la or on top of the second la er, being care 111 not to disturb the positions of the blocks. in each layer.

For each .additional and different diagonal, column, row or squarelet offour numbers, which he can find by examination of the completed cube, .ten points may be added to his score. This completes the first quarter of the game. New dealers should be chosen for the remaining three quarters of the game, choosing new sets of figure, letter and attendant key chi s, and the game will proceed as given a ove. If there is a tie at the end of the fourth quarter of the game, another cube will be built to determine the winner. .The player having the largest number of points at the end of the fourth quarter wins the game. I

While I have. described the set as adaptable to a sixty-four block cube, the setcould obviously be adapted for a 27 or 125 block cube, or even higher cubes within the scopeof the invention.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawing for obviously the difierent arts could be modified within the scope of t e invention.

I claim:

1. In a game apparatus having a plurality of consecutively numbered blocks adapted to be arranged in a plurality of vertical and horizontal layers to form a cube; a construction card havingdivisions thereon corresponding in number with the number of blocks in a layer of said cube; said card having indicia in each division, and having a vertical row of openings opposite eachhorizontal row of divisions, and having a horizontal row of openings opposite each vertical row of divisions; a slide movably mounted behind the vertical row of openings; and a slide movably mounted behind the horizontal row of openings; each slide bearing indicia thereon adapted to be displayed through its related openings.

2. In a game apparatus having a plurality of consecutively numbered blocks adapted to be arranged in a plurality of vertical and horizontal layers to form a cube; a game board having two squares thereon, and each square having divisions therein corresponding with the number of blocks in a layer of said cube; a set of consecutively lettered chips for the board adapted to be placed adjacent one of the squares with one chip opposite each horizontal row of divisions of said square; a

'set of consecutively numbered chi s for the board adapted to be placed ad acent the same said square with one chip opposite each vertical row of divisions of such square; 9. letter key chip for the board; a figure key chip for the board; a second set of consecutively numbered chips for the board; and a key-square chip for the board.

3. A game apparatus comprising a plurality of consecutively numbered blocks adapted to be arranged to form a cube havas my own,

ing a plurality of layers; a game board for each layer of blocks in the cube, each board having two squares thereon each square having divisions therein corresponding with the number of blocks in a layer of said cube; a set of consecutively lettered chips for each board adapted to be placed adjacent one of the squares with one chip opposite each horizontal row of divisions of said square; a set of consecutively numbered chips for each board adapted to be placed adjacent the same said square with one chip opposite each vertical row of divisions of such square; a. letter key chip for each board; a figure key chip for each board; a second set of consecutively numbered chips for each board; and a key-square chip for each board.

4. In a-game' apparatus as set forth in claim 3; each letter key chip having a plurality of sets of letters arranged in difi'erent groups to accord with the layers of blocks in the cube to be constructed, and each group referring to its particular layer of the cube.

5. In a game apparatus as set forth in claim 3, each figure key chip bearing as many numbersas there are blocks in a layer of the cube, said numbers being divided into groups corresponding in number with the number of layers in said cube; the sum of the numbers in each group equalling the same total, and each group referring to its particular layer of the cube.

6. In game apparatus as set forth in claim 3, each key-square chip bearing as many numbers as there are blocks in each layer of the cube the numbers being arranged in vertical and horizontal rows; the sum of the numbers in each horizontal, vertical and diagonal row on said chip being e ual.

In testimon that I claim the oregoing afiix my signature.

EARLE B. STOUT. 

